Expansible plugs for conduits



Oct. 20, 1942. B, svlRsKY EXPANSIBLE PLUGS FOR CONDUITS Filed May 5,1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l .SEWER M15 INVENTOR. v

#frog/@Ex Oct. 2o, 1942. B. svlRsKY 2,299,116

` EXPANSIBLE PLUGS FOR CONDUITS Filed May 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNi'iED STAT ES EPAT EN T 0 FF ICE EXPANSIBLEvPLUGS FOR.v CONDUITS Bennett 'Svirsky, Glendale, Calif.

ApplicationMay' 5, 1941, SerialNo. 391,893 Claims. (Cl. 13S-i90) 4The.present invention relates-to improvements in -expansible -closuremeansforconduits, asset forth in vmy -eopendingA application Serial No.378,381, iiled Feb. 11, 1941.

Inorder to comply uwith city requirements for testi-ng plumbing, apneumatically expansible plug may be inserted into thesoil pipe'lineandutilized -toforma closure therein, whereuponA the pipe line abovetheplug lmayV be-lled to detect any leaks that maybe present. Onefof theobjects of the present vinvention is to YprovideV cooperating, dualexpansible -plugs for this purpose of a character that will iixedlyremain in their installed position duringuse, meansbeing provided tosafeguard theplugsfagainstbeing accidentally Washed down'into'the sewer,or being prematurelyfmoved out ofeplace in any other manner.

In twin Stoppers as previously used no `provision is made for deflatingthe inner plug'of -an installed device independently-'of and'previouslyto the outer plug. Hence part of the Water'beingused for test purposesis apt to flow back past the more or less deated outer'plug, much to theannoyance of the workman. It isan-v important object of the presentinvention to avoid this objectionable feature by providing vmeans forthe independent inflation Aand deflation of the plurality of plugs used.

Afurther object ofthe invention is to provide improved rigidmeans forsupporting the lelastic part of the device, thereby rendering the deviceas a whole more sturdy and dependable, and rendering its expansibleportion more effective Vin its operation.

It is a specic object of the invention to provide, in combination w-itha pneumatically expandible plug for conduits; an annular member, of animproved kind, to encircle said plug for the purpose of forming ananti-slip contact with the inner surface of the section of pipe withinwhich the plug is inserted toform a stopper. This feature isparticularly valuable by reason of the fact that some sewer pipes arequite smooth inside and also often have slimy, greasy interior surfaces.f

Other objects, advantages and features of invention will hereinafterappear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate what is atpresent deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete device in one of itsoperative positions, showing the same with two expansible bodies insideof a sectioned Y-shaped sewer pipe member. In this view the applicatorportion of the air pressure supply means fis-shown positioned inreadiness for use.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal mid-section, on a larger scale than Fig. 1, ofthe expansible member shown lin the lower right hand portion of thelatter View.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 isa side elevation of .one of the antislip spiral rings 'withwhich both of the plugforming bodies of Fig. 1 areprovided.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal mid-section, on the same scale as Fig. 2, ofthe eXpansi'ble body shown in the .upper left hand portionv of Fig. l,some conduit portions being shown in side elevation.

Fig. 6'is a fragmentary cross section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 turnedthrough an angle of ninety degrees.

f `Referring in .detailtothe drawings, the principalparts of the deviceare, as Seen in Fig. l, the upper expansible manner i0 at the liquid airintake end'of the device, the lower expansible member Il at the oppositeendY of the device, and

.g the flexible conduit l2 whereby said members ii and Il are vconnectedin a communicating manner, the device being shown in a Y-shaped sewersection having a lbody portion B and an upper limb v9.

Said members mand Il, by preference and as shown, are of `a generallycylindrical shape, the axis of each member alinin'g with the axis oftheconduit I2'Which connects them. Said members are of nearly identicalconstruction, but are Yshown furnished ywith somewhat different fiuidsupply connections and stopper means. Hence similar lettering is usedfor these two members, and a description of the member il (along with a.reference to itsslight difference from the member 1.9) will suffice forboth.

Said member -II has its metallic core I3 furnished at one end with apronounced central rise 14a surrounded by a peripheral, radiallyextending .flange I4, the opposite end of said core I3 .being shownnearly at and being surroundedby a peripheral, radial flange I5 equal indiametertogthe flange lI4. From end to end of the core extends an axialpassage I5, along one side -of which is a passage il and along theopposite side of which is a passage I8. These three passages allleadfrom end to end of the core and, by preference and as shown, are thesame in diameter, space being provided for them by. broadening the core:member and. shaping it as shown in cross section in Fig. 3.

A rubber or rubber-like body 20 is molded around each of the coremembers I3, said body having a slightly greater diameter than theflanges I4 and I5, and having within it a chamber 2| which is circularin cross section as to its outer side and has its inner side formed bythe rubber layer or sheet 20a which encases the three-part tubularstructure that extends axially of the core member.

Said rubber body 28 has a peripheral channel or groove 22 within whichis seated a split, spirally shaped, anti-slip ring 23. Said ring isdesirably made of steel of a length at least equal to or greater thanthe girth of the plug. It is furnished with a milled or otherwiseroughened exterior surface 24 for anti-slip interior contact with theconduits within which the device is to be used, and the ring as a wholepossesses considerable resiliency, causing it, when permitted to do so,to expand as to its diameter into a firm pressure contact with thesurrounding conduit, assuming that the device is inserted into a conduithaving an internal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of thebody 20.

Near each end, each body 2U has a peripheral rib or fiat faced annularshoulder 25 which continues around the body in an unbroken manner so asto form an effective fluid tight seal with the interior of a section ofsewer pipe, or other conduit, when said body is inserted therewithin andthen inflated.

As to their internal construction, the cores of the plug members I andII differ from each other only in that the axial passage I6 of the coreof the member I0 extends from end to end of said member in anon-communicating manner, with reference to the surrounding air chamber2|, whereas in the member II said passage I6 (see Fig. 3) communicateswith said chamber by means of a small tube IIa that leads through therubber layer 20a; and the passage I8 of the member II extends from endto end of the core of said member in a non-communicating manner; whereasin the member I0 said passage I8 (see Fig. 6) communicates with thechamber 2| by means of a small tube I8a that leads through the rubberlayer 20a.

At its left end (outer end in its assembled, installed relation) theplug member IIJ has the mouth portion of its axial passage I6 internallyscrew threaded to have screwed into it an air valve structure 21utilizable both for pneumatically inating and deflating the plug memberII through the flexible conduit I2. Connection with said conduit I2 ismade by internally screw threading the opposite end of the passage I6under consideration to screw in a coupler 3|. A like coupler 21a screwsinto the left end of the axial passage I6 of the plug member I I toconneet the adjacent end of the conduit I2 therewith.

The passage I8 of the plug member I0 has its adjacent mouth portiondeflected away from the axis of said member and internally screwthreaded to have screwed into it a conventional valve 38, desirably ofthe same type as the valve 21, hence after a plug I8b has been screwedinto the opposite end of the passage I8, air delivered under pressurethrough said valve 38 may be used to inflate the surrounding elasticbody 20, being fed through the small tube |8a into the air chamber 2| ofsaid body.

In some situations it may be found necessary to supply water from aspecially provided source to the section of the sewer pipe or othercoii= duit located at the side of the body I0 which is directed towardthe body II. For' this purpose the left end portion of the passage I1 isoutwardly deflected and is internally screw threaded to have screwedinto it a pipe section #i2 which cooperates with a coupling member 43 toconnect with a water supply tube 44.

When the plug member II is in the installed position shown in Fig. 1,the left ends of its channels |1 and I8 are respectively closed by plugsI1b and I8b which are screwed into their deflected mouth portions; andthe axial passsage of this member is closed at its right hand end byscrewing into it a plug I6c.

The applicator portion 45 of the air pressure supply means is shown inFig. 1 positioned in readiness for use.

In the operation of the device the same is installed as illustrated inFig. 1 for testing purposes, for example, to test the joints of aportion lof a building line located at a higher level than the Y fittingshown and forming a conduit structure which is continuous with the leftend of the body portion of said Y fitting. After the device has beenputinto place in the position shown, air under pressure will be suppliedthrough the connections 38 and 21 to inflate the rubber parts of thefirst expansible member I0 and second expansible member II. Theperipheries of said members will thus be brought into fluid tight andanti-slip relations to the surrounding'interior surfaces of the pipe,the flat faced rises or annular shoulders 25 near the ends of themembers I0 and II affording liquid tight seals, and the spiral rings 23providing the antislip feature, the latter feature being particularlyvaluable when the pipe is made of cast steel, the interior surface ofwhich is smoother` than cast iron. In either case, however, seweredliquids of a greasy character may add to the importance of using theanti-slip rings.

After the device has been installed and inflated in the manner stated, asufficient quantity of water from the hose or other conduit 44 will befed through the first or outer member I0 to the pipe section leftward ofthe member II to fill all the'` superjacent conduit structures which itis desired to test. It may be necessary to supply a considerablequantity of water to make the test and to use a high pressure before thecolumn of water in the building line above the device has reached therequired height.

After the water used for making the test has remained in the buildingline for the required length of time and it is desired to allow it toflow into the sewer system that is in communication with the right handend of the Y fitting the valve 21 is opened, thus releasing air from theinterior of the rubber portion of the member II, allowing the diameterof this member-.to contract, which produces around it an annular passagethrough which the water flows into the sewer. After all the water usedfor making the test has thus been allowed to escape, the valve 38 may beopened to deflate the member I0 preparatory to withdrawing the devicefrom its operative position.

An important advantage is attained by Aproviding for deating the innerbody II While the outer body `II| is allowed to remain in its .fullyinflated, rmly xed position; for if the two members wereV deflatedsimultaneously the suction created when the column of water started toflow into the sewer might drag the whole device v.downV the pipe line;and also, a considerable portion of :the water could escape `back pastthe member l llzgreatly to .the annoyance of .the workman making thetest.

When .itis `desired to supply'water under pres- 'sure to the .open endof a .pipe line not having ('like the `Y .tting) any lateral opening, itis only 4necessary to use one .of the two expansible members. In such acase lthe member l .may be prepared for use by detaching the member IItherefrom. Then said member may be inserted within the tpipe line withits left end directed 'toward the mouth Vthereof and Vafter having been'inflated inthe manner already stated and afplug (like 11b `of Fig. 2)vscrewed into rits conduit portion ill', water Asupply connection may bemade with its axial intake portion '33. Likewise it will be obvious thatthe member ll may be made use of singly for the same purpose.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modicationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of the subject matterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the kind described, two similarly shaped, generallycylindrical plug members each having an elastic peripheral portion and ametal core portion, each of said elastic portions having within it anannular, concentric air chamber encircled by .a peripheral diaphragm,each of said core portions having flanges against which the peripheralradial end portions of the elastic parts of said members abut, therebeing a conduit leading axially through one of said cores in anon-communicating relation to the surrounding elastic portion and thenleading into the other core and communicating with the interior of theelastic material around the latter core, there being two additionalconduits leading through each of said cores, each in -an adjacentsubstantially parallel relation to their axial conduits, one of the twoconduits which parallels the axial conduit of one plug member being incommunication with its elastic portion and means whereby the elasticportion of one of the plug members is inflatible by air fed thereintothrough said axial conduit and the elastic portion of the other plugmember is inflatible by air delivered thereinto through one of saidadjacent conduits which is in an eccentric relaion to its axis.

2. In a device of the kind described, two plug members each having ametal core portion and an elastic portion surrounding said core portion,said elastic portion of each member having within it an annular airchamber encircled by a diaphragm, there being a spiral channel extendingaround said elastic portion of each member, the bottom of said channelbeing formed by said diaphragm, there being in each member along eachside of the space occupied by said spiral channel an annular shoulderextending around the member and capable of being diametrically expanded,an anti-slip spiral ring in each of said spiral channels, conduit meansleading through one of said plug members in a non-communicating mannerin relation thereto and thence into the other member to conduct anexpanding fluid into the latter member whereby both its diaphragm andits aforesaid annular shoulders may be simultaneously diametricallyexpanded, and conduit means leading into the rst recited plug membersimultaneously to expand both its annular shoulders and diaphragmindependently of the corresponding parts of the :second .recited plugmember.

`3. .In .a :device of the kind described, an elastic 'pneumaticallyexpansible body lof ya circular character having fa spiral peripheralchannel exendin'g around it, .and a spiral resilient ring seated in saidchannel, 4said ring being diametrically expan'sible 4.under the urge ofthe expan- .sion of said body and having a roughened exterior `surfacetoengage 'the :interior surface yof a sewer pipe .inga :non-'slip manner,said expansible bodyalso having around its expansible portion twoVcontinuous -ribsxengageable with the interior .of a sewer pipe in .a'iluid tight manner, one of said ribs Ibeing :located at each side ofthe vspace occupied by 'saidspiralring 4. .In a 'device `of'lthe kinddescribed, 'two elon- -gated multi-.tubular :metal core vmembersincluding `spaced .apart 1ra-dial l.peripheral 'flanges fadjacent theends thereof, a body of elastic material molded around each of said coremembers between said flanges, each of said bodies having within it anannular concentric air chamber encircled by an expansible diaphragm,each of said bodies having an annular shoulder extending around each ofits ends, the inner sides of the shoulders of each body together withthe outer face of said diaphragm forming around the body a spaceincluding a spiral channel, conduit means connecting one of the tubes ofone core member in series with a like tube of the other core member,means to supply air under pressure through one tube of one core memberthence through said conduit means and through the other tube joinedthereto to the air chamber of the elastic body of the core memberfarthest from the source of air supply, and means to supply air underpressure through another tube in the core member nearest the air supplyto the air chamber of its elastic body, there being a passage throughwhich the air is conducted from each of said tubes to the concentricchamber to which the air is delivered.

5. The subject matter of claim 4 and, a manually detachable spiralresilient split ring occupying said channel and expansible under theurge of pressure from said diaphragm.

6. In a device of the kind described, a pair of pneumatically expansiblebodies, conduit means extending through one of said bodies in anoncommunicating relation thereto and leading to the other of them toconvey fluid under pressure to expand the latter body independently ofthe former, independent conduit means to convey fluid pressure to theformer body to expand it independently of the latter body, each of saidexpansible bodies being of a circular character having a spiralperipheral channel extending around it, and a spiral ring seated in eachsaid channel, each of said rings being diametrically expansible underthe urge of the expansion of the body to which it is ailixed, each ofsaid expansible bodies also having around its expansible portion twocontinuous ribs engageable with the interior of a sewer pipe in a fluidtight manner, one of said ribs being located at each side of the spaceoccupied by its said spiral ring.

7. In a device of the kind described, an elastic pneumaticallyexpansible body of a circular character having a spiralperipheralchannel extending around it, said expansible body also havingaround its expansible portion two continuous ribs engageable with theinterior of a sewer pipe in a Iiuid tight manner, one of said ribs beinglocated at each side of the space occupied by said spiral channel.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 and, a manually detachable spiralresilient ring seated in said channel and being expansible underl theurge of the expansion of said body to engage the interior surface ofsaid sewer pipe.

9. In a device of the kind described, two plug members each having ametal core portion and an elastic portion surrounding said core portion,said elastic portion of each member having Within it an annular airchamber encircled by a diaphragm, there being a spiral channel extendingaround said elastic portion of each member, the bottom of said channelbeing formed by said diaphragm, there being in each member along eachside of the space occupied by said spiral channel an annular shoulderextending around the member and capable of being diametrically expanded,

an anti-slip spiral ring in each of said spiral chanels, and axialconduit means leading through one of said plug members in anon-communicating manner in relation thereto and thence into the othermember to conduct an expanding fluid into the latter member whereby bothits diaphragm and its aforesaid annular shoulders may be simultaneouslydiametrically expanded and then contracted independently of thecorresponding parts of the other plug membei".

10. The subject matter of claim 9 and, conduit means leading into theirst recited plug member simultaneous to expand and contract both itsannular shoulders and diaphragm independently of the corresponding partsof the second recited plug member.

BENNETT SVIRSKY.

